Homebrew PSA: Your crashes aren't caused by Boot9Strap

[StarTrekVoyager]

Recently, I've seen a lot of threads about "B9S crashes" and "B9S boot problems", and even some users ranting about B9S being the cause of every single problem on Earth. I created this thread to say that no, B9S is not behind these problems, and that the cause is most likely the Luma3DS CFW in its latest versions.

Explanation:
Boot9Strap cannot cause any problem once inside of the 3DS. Boot9Strap is only an exploit or entrypoint, exactly like ARM9LoaderHax or even menuhax, oot3dhax etc., which allows the CFW to boot. When you 3DS boots, Boot9Strap only searches for a boot.firm file to run, and that's all. Once boot.firm, which contains your CFW (for example Luma3DS), is launched, B9S doesn't act anymore. You could called B9S the front door of your house, the latter being your 3DS's CFW.

The crashes and how to remedy to them:
The latest versions (v8.0 and v8.1) of Luma3DS, a common 3DS CFW, have as a new feature called Rosalina. But due to the fact that the latter is still a highly experimental beta feature, it has been known to cause a lot of ARM11 crashes, mostly in-game. The only faulty software here is Luma3DS AND NOT by B9S, since the latter has stopped running since you've booted the device.
If you encounter a lot of these crashes, it is advised to try and switch to the special Luma 3DS 7.1 "legacy" Rosalina-free build made compatible with the latest version of B9S.

Update:
Support for the legacy builds of Luma has been dropped, since as of 8.1.1, no crash has been shown to be only triggered with the Rosalina-enabled Luma builds.

 

[Giodude]

Very useful. Were you that salty you needed to create this XD? Seriously though good psa, especially with the time we're in right now.

 

[CallmeBerto]

I can confirm going from 8.0 to 7.1 fixed some of the crash issues I was having.

Good topic OP.

 

[NightScript]

Actually, if it is bricked, its not luma's fault, but instead B9S. Though, that's the only bug with B9S. All of the others is Luma.

Also, here's a link: https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/raw/master/luma_legacy/boot.firm

 

[Giodude]

Actually, if it is bricked, its not luma's fault, but instead B9S. Though, that's the only bug with B9S. All of the others is Luma.

Also, here's a link: https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/raw/master/luma_legacy/boot.firm

Actually, have there been any real bricks recorded with b9s? I believe 99 percent of it was user error misinterpreting a black screen.

 

[proflayton123]

Somewhat ideal thread but kinda not? Either way it'll help those confused

 

[Giodude]

Somewhat ideal thread but kinda not? Either way it'll help those confused

It would help if @StarTrekVoyager put the luma legacy build link (https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/raw/master/luma_legacy/boot.firm) In the OP, giving quick access to it.

 

[VinsCool]

@StarTrekVoyager Thank you!
It was about time someone explained it.

 

[NightScript]

Actually, have there been any real bricks recorded with b9s? I believe 99 percent of it was user error misinterpreting a black screen.

No, but you never know

 

[StarTrekVoyager]

@Giodude Link added in the OP.

 

[NightScript]

~snip~

 

[proflayton123]

Question: is the so called legacy build the same without Rosalina implemented?

 

[StarTrekVoyager]

Question: is the so called legacy build the same without Rosalina implemented?

It's a variation of Luma 7.1 compatible with B9S, but since most of Luma 8's changelog was Rosalina and its features, it is roughly the same as 8.1 but w/o Rosalina AFAIK.

 

[Giodude]

This would make a good sticky here, in the same vein as the no homebrew sticky in the switch hacking and homebrew thread.

 

[SaffronXL]

I think people are blaming Luma 8 for all the other issues they may be having. The only crashes I've had with 8.1 were due to other issues, and they would have hung the system on an earlier version.

 

[Giodude]

I think people are blaming Luma 8 for all the other issues they may be having. The only crashes I've had with 8.1 were due to other issues, and they would have hung the system on an earlier version.

No, i actually have seen some major issues with 8.0+. The forced error messages cause some home menu returns such as the microsd management cia to crash when returning to the home menu, as well as retroarch emulators to crash. I've also seen rosalina bring minor lag to o3ds devices.

 

[THYPLEX]

Mh , i will try this tomorrow on my new 3ds ;
But if i want to remove it , i need just to update luma3ds through luma updater?

 

[Giodude]

Mh , i will try this tomorrow on my new 3ds ;
But if i want to remove it , i need just to update luma3ds through luma updater?

Yup

 

[THYPLEX]

Yup

Thank goodness

 

[Giodude]

Thank goodness

Even if something possibly went wrong with luma updater, you can just google "luma3ds releases" and you can just put the latest boot.firm on your sd card.